Michelle Williams says heart broken over Ledger

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - In her first statement since the
death of her former companion Heath Ledger, actress Michelle
Williams said she is suffering from a broken heart and asked
for privacy for her and daughter Matilda.

"Please respect our need to grieve privately," Williams
said in a statement released Friday by Ledger's spokeswoman.
"My heart is broken."

Williams, 27, and Ledger, an Australian actor, met on the
set of the 2005 movie "Brokeback Mountain," fell in love and
had Matilda, who is now 2 years old. They split up in
September.

"I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited,
beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father,"
Williams said in her statement.

"All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that
reveals itself every day. His family and I watch Matilda as she
whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time
and we know that he is with us still. She will be brought up
with the best memories of him."

Ledger, 28, and Williams lived together in New York and
there was speculation they planned to marry, although they
never officially confirmed an engagement.

Ledger was found dead in his bed on January 22 in his New
York apartment with sleeping pills and prescription drugs
nearby, police said. The cause of death has yet to be
determined but an official with the New York Medical Examiner's
office said autopsy results were due Tuesday or Wednesday at
the earliest.

The actor's body has been flown home to Australia where his
family is arranging a private funeral and memorial.
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